I find the News these days almost impossible to believe.

And now added to this virus we again have the Migrant Problem which is bound to get worse in summer.

Both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs had a difficult decision to make but they made it and most people agree with their decision. Perhaps the protesters should give some of these migrants shelter in their homes. Of course anyone with a heart doesn't want to see people drown.

I have just read an interview in this month's issue of Share published by the Philosophy Sharing Foundation in which Ian Rizzo interviewed Professor Peter Singer considered one of the world's leading moral philosophers. Ian put the following question: "Are you worried with a world that is moving more to populism, nationalism and erecting walls and border controls to keep out immigrants?" Professor Singer replied: "Yes, I am very concerned about populism and nationalism. The world has many problems that require global institutions, and we are not going to be able to solve them by retreating into silos filled with people like us, who do not care about people who are not like us. At the same time, I don't think open borders is a practical possibility. It is unrealistic to expect rich nations to accept every would-be immigrant who reaches their shores. We need to deal with the causes of large flows of refugees and try to provide safe, decent, and meaningful lives for them within their own regions." Further comment is unnecessary.

Helen Tomlin née Caruana Galizia has been living in England for some 53 years with her husband Richard. They have a daughter and a son and two grandsons. Helen returns to Malta regularly often timing the visit it with her sister Anne Parnis who lives in Australia.

Helen is a graduate of the London School of Economics and has been an activist for most of her life. The two sisters are the authors of the very useful and informative The Food and Cookery of Malta and Gozo. The latest edition, authored by Helen, was published in 2016 by Midsea Books.

Helen was coming in May but given the circumstances it looks as if this is not going to happen.

I asked her how she was spending this Corona time in Blackheath. "We have a yard which looks lovely with azaleas and camellias all in flower.  We also have mint and marjoram.

What are we Oldies doing?  We're allowed one walk a day. Who will know if I do two?  We are told police might stop us and I bumped into one yesterday. He gave me a huge smile. I said to him, "I thought you were going to stop me and ask me what I was doing." He smiled again and we said goodbye.  

In Blackheath Village where we live all the shops restaurants and pubs are closed. Some chancer from Kent, took the opportunity to sell eggs and avocados setting up a little stall.  He also had brown paper bags marked "pasta" - heaven knows where he got it from - some bulk purchase - but fool that I am I bought a packet for £2.  I also wanted to tell him the eggs would go off in that strong sun in which they were basking.  

All the churches are closed and no Quaker meeting will be held on Sunday. I am not a churchgoer but I know the two Church of England vicars in the area as friends.

We have a relative newcomer in the street who has taken on the job of sort-of mother to us all.   She's been here about 10 years. She's only about 54 and seems well but is no longer employed.  It so happens she is/was a journalist.

Anyway at the moment she has taken to shopping online for any of us who want.  We are doing our own online but this friend is helpful to anyone who forgets things, so people send her emails asking her to buy apples etc. including Oat Milk which is becoming popular here.

I had my permitted walk this afternoon.   I wish you could have been with me to enjoy Blackheath and sitting by the pond on the heath watching the ducks - like an old woman which I remember I am." Yes, dear Helen. One look at the mirror and I am soon reminded that I, too, am now an old woman.

Gregory Brincat came on Facebook on Good Friday, in the full regalia of a Roman centurion with appropriate music as background. There he was, walking in Madliena, alone. I loved it and contacted him to send me a photo of himself for my Diary. So here he is looking splendid. Caesar would have been happy to have him in his army. So how did it all begin? "I started taking part in the Zejtun procession in 1978. Then in 1982, I participated in Ta' Giezu procession in Valletta up till last year. I first bought the costume in 1978 and have been improving it with new additions ever since. 

Seeing that because of Corona this year I would not be able to participate in a procession I still wanted to do something to give people hope and courage and to remind us of the death of Jesus. So, prodded by my family I put on my costume and appropriate music and off I went.
I have received a lot of FB messages thanking me for the initiative. I hope I have managed to put a smile on people's faces."

Thank you Gregory for cheering us up. One thing was noticeable, the eternally constipated traffic system was absent. The street was not disfigured by the traffic and parking of cars.

The days are beautiful but summer is almost here. I am not looking forward to the heat and especially if we have to remain indoors with air conditioners to keep us cool. Let us hope for a Corona-free summer.

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